Hollywood has always been a source of glamour, art, and drama, and much of its splendor is the result of some stellar actresses who have lit up the silver screen. We take a look at the careers of 10 classic actresses who captivated audiences and influenced the cinematic world.
1. Meryl Streep
An icon among actresses since the dawn of time, Meryl Streep’s career has been a lesson in breadth and range. Streep was born in 1949 in Summit, New Jersey, and first broke into the world of acting before moving into film in the 1970s. Her breakthrough was The Deer Hunter (1978), followed by Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), for which she won her first Oscar. Streep’s knack for inhabiting multiple roles means that her work in Sophie’s Choice (1982), Out of Africa (1985) and The Devil Wears Prada (2006) displayed the versatility of her dramatic and comic range. As Streep has 21 Oscar nominations and three wins to his credit, she’s still an icon of acting greatness.
2. Audrey Hepburn
A true superstar of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Audrey Hepburn was as charismatic as she was gifted. Born in 1929 in Brussels, Belgium, Hepburn overcame the hardships of the Second World War to become a dancer and actress. Her first feature film was Roman Holiday (1953), which brought her an Academy Award and made her a global star. From Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) to My Fair Lady (1964), Hepburn mingled soft beauty with modest power. Besides acting, Hepburn spent her later years working as a UNICEF ambassador, leaving a legacy of brilliance and empathy.
3. Katharine Hepburn
In her dry humor and outspokenness, Katharine Hepburn disrupted the stereotype of Hollywood womanhood. Born in 1907 in Connecticut, Hepburn subverted convention to play power-packed, complex women. She racked up more than 60 years of stardom starting with early hits such as Morning Glory (1933), which won her the first of four Oscars (the record continues to this day). Whether screwball comedies such as Bringing Up Baby (1938) or emotional dramas such as The Lion in Winter (1968), Hepburn’s reckless style of acting and life left an indelible mark on future generations.
4. Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor’s purple eyes and screen presence helped to establish her as a harbinger of old Hollywood glam, but she was also talented and stubborn. Taylor, who was born in London in 1932, was a child actor who worked her way into adulthood. Her roles in films such as A Place in the Sun (1951) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) showed her acting talent. Taylor won two Academy Awards for BUtterfield 8 (1960) and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966). Her private dramas and AIDS activism offscreen established her as an icon.
5. Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe born in 1926, rose from an unhappy childhood to become one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons. Monroe was a blonde bombshell whose joke timing and vulnerability lit up films such as Some Like It Hot (1959) and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). Though Monroe was often cast in sexy roles, even her performances were complex, especially in The Misfits (1961). Her untimely death at 36 left the world wondering what she could have been but her legacy in film and pop culture remains unsurpassed.
6. Ingrid Bergman
Ingrid Bergman, born in Sweden, blew Hollywood away with her natural elegance and emotional sincerity. Born in 1915, Bergman gained worldwide popularity with Casablanca (1942), an Oscar-winning classic. She won three Academy Awards for performances in Gaslight (1944), Anastasia (1956) and Autumn Sonata (1978). Bergman’s life, including a tumultuous relationship with the Italian film director Roberto Rossellini, temporarily overshadowed her career but, with a triumphant return to Hollywood, she cemented her reputation as one of the best actresses of her generation.
7. Bette Davis
With her strong acting and trademark big angular eyes, Bette Davis was a Hollywood powerhouse. Born in 1908 in Massachusetts, Davis found breakthrough success with films such as Of Human Bondage (1934) and Jezebel (1938), for which she won her first Oscar. Her depictions of valiant, depraved women, as in All About Eve (1950), pioneered female cinema. Davis’s 50+-year career, with more than 100 positions to his name, left a deep imprint on the industry.
8. Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts, “America’s Sweetheart” was a household name because of her dazzling smile and performances. Roberts, who was born in 1967 in Georgia, became an international star after her breakout performance in Pretty Woman (1990). She established her fame with movies such as My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997), Erin Brockovich (2000) and Eat Pray Love (2010). Award-winning Erin Brockovich, Roberts still attracts viewers with her combination of charm, silliness and vulnerability, and she’s been relevant to Hollywood for more than 30 years.
9. Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson, one of the most versatile actresses of her generation, started out as a child actor in movies such as The Horse Whisperer (1998). Born in 1984 in New York City, Johansson gained critical success with Lost in Translation (2003) and Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003). She switched between indie and blockbuster dramas, transforming herself into the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Black Widow. Both Marriage Story (2019) and Jojo Rabbit (2019) were Oscar-nominated performances that year, further proving that Johansson is an indefatigable performer.
10. Viola Davis
Viola Davis is a superstar who went from humble beginnings to Hollywood stardom. Born in 1965 in South Carolina, Davis made her name first on stage, then in film and television. She was the first Black actress to achieve the “Triple Crown of Acting”—an Academy Award, an Emmy, and a Tony. Her most notable films include Doubt (2008), The Help (2011) and Fences (2016), in which she proved her capacity for emotion and power. The fact that Davis continued to fight for Hollywood diversity adds another dimension to her legacy.
These 10 actresses stand for both Hollywood’s history and the longstanding impact of cinema. From the Golden Age to the current blockbusters, they’ve left audiences with performances that span generations. Their influence goes beyond the screen, to culture, art and even politics. Whether through iconic roles, ground-breaking performances, or charitable efforts, these women have taken their place among the greats of film.
